The Federal High Court in Lagos has granted bail to 47-year-old Ugochukwu Eze, also known as “Amazon,” who is standing trial over allegations that he unlawfully accessed SunTrust Bank Plc’s computer system and diverted more than ₦800 million belonging to the bank.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/NBBSPIDEL.png")
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-Summer-IDRI-Masterclass.jpg")
Justice Friday Ogazi granted Eze bail on Monday in the sum of ₦150 million with two sureties in like sum, after considering an application filed by the defendant while in custody.
Eze was arraigned by the State Security Service (SSS) on August 6, 2026, in Charge No. FHC/LAG/CR/539/2026 on allegations bordering on conspiracy, cyber-fraud, unlawful access to critical financial infrastructure and money laundering.
According to the prosecution, Eze and other persons still at large allegedly committed the offences between 2023 and 2026 in Lagos and other locations within the jurisdiction of the court.
Prosecuting counsel Michael Bajela alleged that the defendant and his purported accomplices conspired to unlawfully interfere with SunTrust Bank’s computer system, leading to the alleged diversion of more than ₦800 million belonging to the bank.
The prosecution further accused Eze of concealing and transferring sums of money allegedly connected to unlawful cyberattacks on financial institutions and of obtaining unauthorised access to what it described as vital national financial information infrastructure.
The SSS maintained that the alleged offences contravened Sections 5, 6(1) and 8 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024, as well as Sections 10, 20 and 18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Eze pleaded not guilty to the charges when he was arraigned, following which the court ordered his remand in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending further proceedings.
While in custody, the defendant applied for bail, asking the court to release him partly on health grounds and on favourable terms.
The SSS opposed the application, arguing, among other grounds, that Eze posed a flight risk.
In his ruling, however, Justice Ogazi admitted the defendant to bail but imposed stringent conditions.
The court ordered that the two sureties must each own property valued at not less than ₦150 million and must provide evidence of three years’ tax payments.
Justice Ogazi further directed that one of the sureties must be a civil servant on Grade Level 15 or its equivalent in either the Lagos State Civil Service, Federal Civil Service or a federal government agency.
The civil servant must also reside in Lagos State, with the address to be verified by the court.
As an additional condition, the judge ordered Eze to surrender all passports and other international travel documents in his possession and barred him from travelling outside Nigeria without prior permission of the court.
One of the counts against him alleges that between 2023 and 2026, Eze unlawfully and seriously hindered the functioning of SunTrust Bank Plc’s computer system and, in the process, fraudulently diverted more than ₦800 million belonging to the bank.
The prosecution says the alleged act constitutes an offence under Section 8 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024.
The allegations remain unproven, and Eze is presumed innocent unless and until found guilty by the court.
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
The book also examines Nigeria's legal ecosystem, focusing on the LPELR and NBA AI Guidelines. As a bonus, every purchase comes with a FREE eBook titled: How to Use the AI Features in LegalPedia and LawPavilion.
Ohio Books Ltd praises the publication, stating:
"....this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic."
How to Order:
📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878
📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com
🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACIarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
______________________________________________________________________
